Samantha Nickerson hugs her friend Merla Nickerson after the two finished the 10k run together. Kathy Johnson photo

People relax at the Island View Park by the Cape Sable Island Causeway watching as runners race to the finish line in the annual N.S. Marathon, Half Marathon and 10k in the Municipality of Barrington on July 23. Kathy Johnson photo

BARRINGTON - More than 300 runners ran the courses for the 47th annual N.S. Marathon, Half Marathon and 10k on July 23 in the Municipality of Barrington. “We were very pleased with the turn-out,” said race director Anna Kenney, noting a lot of registrations came in the last week, bringing a final tally of 324, which is on par with last year’s number of 330. A record field of 364 was set in 2015. At least 80 volunteers helped the municipality stage the event this year, said Kenny, from manning aid stations along the route, doing traffic control, or serving at the awards banquet following the marathon. Well wishers, waving flags and cheering, and decorated lawns could be seen all along the route, which runs from Sherose Island, through Barrington Passage, across the Cape Sable Island Causeway to Cape Sable Island, where there are turn-around points for the half marathoners (21.1k) and 10 k runners. The full marathoners (42.2k) run the entire circumference of the island. On The Hawk, which is about the half way mark for the marathon, local resident Louann Cunningham has made small plaques welcoming the full marathoners each by name and country. “She’s been doing this for a few years,” said Kenney. “It’s just something she wanted to do and is a great thing. They (the marathoners) are so appreciative of it. It puts a smile on their faces to see their names.”

As for full marathon results, Stephen Walsh, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, was first in the men’s open division. Placing second was Neal Cody of Timberlea. Third in men’s open and first in the 40-49 division was from Richard Paixao, of Rothesay. Colleen Ryan, of Intervale, New Hampshire was first in the female open and 40-49 divisions. Second in female open and first in the 30-39 division was Beth Connolly, of Manchester, New Hampshire. Taking third in female open was Andrea MacNevian, of Halifax. In the half marathon, Cal Dewolfe, of Conquerall Mills, and Matt McNeil, of Halifax, crossed the finish line together for first place in men’s open. Third went to Matthias Mueller, of Middle Sackville. Colleen Wilson, of Ancaster, Ont., took first place in the female open division. Second went to Emily Hamilton, while Halifax’s Denise Robson, finished third in the open and first in 40-49 division. In the 10k, Lunenburg’s Jason Mossman placed first in the men’s open. Local competitor Korey MacKinnon, of Clark’s Harbour, was second, and Andrew Wells, of Madison, Wisconsin, placed third. In the female open, first was Heather Baillie, of Yarmouth; second, Jessica MacKinnon, of Clark’s Harbour; and third, Joanie Mathieu, of Barrington.